Project ID: 2012NH168B
Title: James Hall Vegetated Roof Nutrient Removal Efficiency and Hydrologic Response
Project Type: Research
Start Date: 3/01/2012
End Date: 2/28/2013
Congressional District: 01
Focus Categories: Nutrients, Water Quality, Treatment
Keywords: Stormwater, Vegetated Roofs, Cold Climate, Environmental Education, Water Resources
Principal Investigators: Roseen, Robert; Ballestero, Thomas P.
Federal Funds: $ 7,000
Non-Federal Matching Funds: $ 17,517
Abstract: We propose to examine the comparison between water quality and hydrologic performance of a EPDM rubber flat and vegetated roof. Currently, vegetated roofs are not widely used within New England as a common stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP). However, the incorporation of vegetated roofs into a region's stormwater management plan may be an efficient method of managing flooding issues and reducing nutrient loading to already impacted surfaces waters. This information will be extrapolated to a build-out analysis for the City of Portsmouth to examine potential benefits. The information gathered will be unique for its location in a semi-humid temperate location in coastal New Hampshire. Understanding BMP effectiveness in this climate is especially important with the current need to better understand how non-point source pollution is affecting the Great Bay. The intent of this research is to explore the role that vegetated roofs can play in the mitigation of nutrient loading within a cold climate.